The School will comply with all legal requirements related to child protection within Ecuador and will maintain an effective working relationship with relevant government agencies.
The School will comply with the standards and regulations of the NEASC and IBO accrediting organizations.
The School will appoint a Child Protection Officer with oversight of child protection procedures and policies. The School will maintain a Child Protection Committee who will perform the following functions: coordinate child abuse and neglect prevention training, discuss potential cases of child abuse and neglect and determine if they warrant reporting, act as intermediary between the school and the reporting authority, and address child safety concerns of staff.
The School will conduct robust practices to ensure that it employs faculty and staff of sound moral character suitable for working with children and youth.
The School will take action in any situation involving suspected abuse or mistreatment of any student enrolled in the school.
All staff employed at Academia Cotopaxi, must report suspected incidents of child abuse or neglect as well as suspected or identified child abusers and sex offenders whenever the staff member has a cause to believe or suspect that a child has suffered, or is at risk of suffering abuse or neglect. Reporting and follow up of all suspected incidents of child abuse or neglect will proceed in accordance with administrative regulations respective to this policy which includes reporting to respective authorities when appropriate.
In all cases of suspected child abuse, the school will attempt to demonstrate respect for families, their privacy, and their culture, subject to current legal requirements, always keeping the best interests of the child in mind.
The School will conduct regular professional training workshops for volunteers, faculty and staff on student safeguarding, child abuse prevention, recognition, intervention and reporting.
In the case of a staff member reported as an alleged offender, Academia Cotopaxi will conduct a full investigation following a carefully designed course of due process, keeping the safety of the child at the highest priority.
Academia Cotopaxi will distribute and communicate this policy annually to all stakeholders and will review the policy annually for compliance and effectiveness.
